Buffalo

I was born and raised in a rich suburb of Buffalo. I grew up eating Buffalo Wings and cheering on the Buffalo Bills and being, in every way, a Buffalonian. I consider myself a Buffalonian, above all else.

I didn't know any of the victims. My youngest brother knew one of them. She was a coworker with him, working with suffering drug and alcohol addicts. She didn't deserve to die. None of them did.

I've come to realize that the problem isn't guns. Not really. Oh, don't get me wrong.. there are too many guns out there and too many guns specifically meant to kill people. 
And the problem isn't really mental health. 

The problem is Racism.

A man drove 3 1/2 hours from Binghamton to Buffalo just to kill black people, because Racism. Racism in a particularly ridiculous package, but Racism. Racism in a really disgustingly out there theory... but, let's be honest that the people who believe these ridiculous theories Pizzagate, Q, Great Replacement Theory... well, they don't bother to ask questions, don't bother to think, Someone they trust says some ridiculous thing and they believe it, as crazy as it actually sounds.

I'm angry. I'm angry that more people died, that the nation will do nothing, and meanwhile these ridiculous crazy ideas like the Great Replacement Theory are being spouted by government leaders (Yes, I'm looking at you Elise Stefanik. I sure wish your voters would trade you for someone less awful, though I don't really expect it.) and coming into the mainstream.